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International Tour: U.S. Pacific Command area, Japan, South Korea, Slovakia
NATO
South
Korea
Japan
Hawaii

WREATH CEREMONY - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean National Cemetery in Seoul, Republic of South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison More Photos | Story | Speech

Top Stories

Gates Receives ‘Mounting
Endorsements’ of Strategy Proposals

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he’s encouraged by unofficial endorsements NATO defense ministers are expressing for Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s strategy proposals for Afghanistan, along with indications they’re considering additional resources to support the mission there. Story

Gates Finds Broad Support for
New Missile Defense Approach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2009 – NATO defense ministers are expressing broad support for the new U.S. approach to missile defense in Europe and the opportunity it may offer to make Russia a partner in the effort, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Story

McChrystal to Brief as NATO
Ministers Focus on Afghanistan

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his fellow NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovakia will hear from the commander of the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Story

Gates to Discuss Afghanistan at NATO

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he’s headed to a NATO defense ministers meeting in Slovakia confident there’s enough to discuss about Afghanistan even without a U.S. decision on the strategy there. Story

Gates Reaffirms
Commitment to South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering commitment” to its alliance with the South Korea, assuring it will continue to provide extended deterrence against North Korea and other threats. Story

Gates Calls on South Korea
To Expand Security Role

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2009 – Lauding progress toward transferring wartime operational control of South Korean troops to their own country in 2012, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today called on the longtime U.S. ally to assume a larger security role on the Korean peninsula and beyond. Story | Speech

Gates, Willard Seek More
Engagement With China

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 21, 2009 – It’s in the United States’ long-term interest to engage more closely with China, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, and his new top officer in the Pacific said he’s looking forward to the role he hopes to play in the dialogue. Story | Speech

Collaboration Drives Afghan
Strategy Review, Gates Says

TOKYO, Oct. 21, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today praised a close collaboration between the military and the White House in examining the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, dismissing news reports of a rift. Story

Gates, Japanese Leaders
Vow Continued Cooperation

TOKYO, Oct. 21, 2009 – Citing “great opportunities” to further strengthen the U.S.-Japanese security relationship in cooperation with the new Japanese government, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates re-emphasized today the need to move forward with the agreed-to realignment plan. Story

Gates Looks to Bolster U.S. Alliances

EN ROUTE TO TOKYO, Oct. 19, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is on his way to Japan, where he will discuss a broad range of defense issues as the first Cabinet-level U.S. official to visit the new Japanese Democratic Party government since it took office last month. Story

U.S. Works to Develop More
Support for Afghanistan Effort

HONOLULU, Oct. 19, 2009 – As Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates travels this week to Japan and South Korea before heading to a NATO defense ministers conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, he’s expected to ensure the issue of support for Afghanistan remains solidly on front burner. Story

Keating Passes Command Torch

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, Oct. 19, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presided over a change-of-command ceremony here today as Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating passed the U.S. Pacific Command helm to Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard. Story | Speech

Top Defense Leader to Visit
Pacific, Asia and Slovakia

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will kick off a whirlwind trip this weekend that will begin with a change of command ceremony at U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii, followed by visits to South Korea, Japan and a NATO defense ministers conference in Slovakia. Story

Related Links

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates attends a joint press conference with South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Tae-young at the Ministry of Defense in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison. More Photos

All-HANDS ADDRESS - U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses troops during an all-hands call at Collier Field House on Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 22, 2009. Mullen visited Korea for annual military meetings between the allies. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison. More Photos

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, left, stands at attention with Korean Army Gen. Lee Sang-Eui, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, during a ceremony in Seoul, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. More Photos


U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen as they attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Bratislava, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison. More Photos

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, center front, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, rear right, and Commander, Pacific Command Adm. Robert F. Willard attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Korean National Cemetery in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oct. 22, 2009.DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. More Photos


PACIFIC CEREMONY - U.S. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, outgoing commander; U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard, new commander, participate in the U.S. Pacific Command change-of-command ceremony, Camp Smith, Hawaii, Oct. 19, 2009. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley. More Photos